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04/19/24 17:21:01 [ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, [3], 4 ]

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Date Posted: 14:10:30 05/16/03 Fri
Author: theButterfly
Subject: specific examples of prequel problems
In reply to: The Cannabist 's message, "old suject, new thread. Read RavensZim, Idaho and Butterfly" on 19:31:26 05/15/03 Thu

Okay, big examples; let's see...

In order to do a really good job here, I would need to reread some of the involved novels; but, I'm not going to do that right now as there are a lot of other things I'm looking forward to reading. I should also note, once more, that this is meant primarily to talk about the Prelude to Dune trilogy, since I have not yet read The Butlerian Jihad; though, these problems are probably relevant to that trilogy as well.

The bulk of my problems come from inconsistancies, so they might be able to be explained, but there is always a doubt; it's just too much of a stretch. Some of these come about as the result of one big theme in this trilogy: namely, that it tries to be like the Heretics/Chapterhouse content.

The Bene Tleilaxu do not seem to be represented correctly. Oh! but this is so hard to prove! All I can do is explain the inconsistancy as best I know how.

Begin with their defeat of House Vernius. At this time in their history at least, the Tleilaxu have a very interesting code of honor that requires that they always leave a way out for their enemies when trying to defeat them. But, during their takeover of the planet Ix, they use a straightforward military conquest that leaves no room for the House to avoid defeat without a chance discovery of their secret plans. They were given no way to know that they had such an enemy and were defeated completely. They had nothing but their lives (yes, that is a valuable commodity indeed, but I think I've made my point).

Another point about the Tleilaxu is that they seem to be portrayed too much like the Tleilaxu five millenia hence. This problem could have been diverted if this organization had been portrayed with vagueness and mystery, letting the answers come at the end of the series where they belong; but, this isn't relevant, I suppose. Describing the Tleilaxu as infamous religious fanatics doesn't make sense for a couple of reasons:

First, there is no reason to believe that they had such an orientation at this point in their history. Their religion in the last two books of the Dune series came about by, or just carried the very heavy influence of, God Emperor Leto. However, their religion described in the prequels is EXACTLY THE SAME, even though their Prophet's father hasn't even been born. Times change, as IDAHO is so eager to remind everyone (I don't think that tacking Leto's name onto the religion actually constitutes change). Apparently, this is only to be considered a local event if we are to consider the prequels to be canon with the classic Dune novels.

Second, this peculiar brand of religion is a very well-guarded secret of the Tleilaxu. It is only finally discovered with an impulse gamble by a Reverand Mother (in one of the last two books), who had NO IDEA that the Tleilaxu had such a religion and was impressed that they had been able to hide it from them for so long. The Bene Gesserit have a very long memory, as well as a strong tendency to see through deception.

Now, consider two contraversial moves made on the part of the prequels: the synthetic spice, Amal, and also the premature invention of no-fields. These are a prime example of this trilogy trying "to be like the Heretics/Chapterhouse content", and speak volumes about a woeful lack of originality. Unfortunately, I just can't find concrete evidence to dispute these occurances. It's very possible that they could have happened. In all truthfullness, I think it entirely possible that the first example about Amal could have come right from Frank Herbert and be completely correct. I find it extremely hard, however, to swallow the second. The mode of its being conceived and its being destroyed just don't seem to work. I don't know how to expain it: it just doesn't smell right; perhaps it's the statistics that bother me. The most ridiculous part is that it is universally acknowledged as a "no-field", with such devices as "no-ships" and "no-globes". I suppose it's just a coincidence that this secret, isolated technology is called by exactly the same name that it is to come to be known as when it is developed for the second time.

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